Jeb Bush is one decider who actually read the writing on the wall.
His record and shadowy business dealings, i.e. Lehman Brothers (bailout?) were mere bush league fodder for bloggers and an energized Obama base primed and ready to drag out the dirty laundry into the Sunshine.
And he knew it.
Fortunately for Florida, old 666 cited "family and business" as reasons not to seek the Senate seat that Mel Martinez will vacate in 2010.
After the late afternoon announcement, Hardball's Chris Matthews just couldn't seem to wrap his mind around the Bush back out, stating the former Governor was so popular in Florida, the path to the Senate would have been a mere cakewalk.
Chris, stop talking, start listening and do your homework.
Florida is falling apart financially. And Mr. Big Stuff made many decisions on behalf of his fat cat friends that can be attributed to our blue state falling into the red.
Per Paul Moore, Substance News, July 2008:
During his eight-year reign as governor of Florida, Jeb Bush fashioned an economic time bomb. On his way out the door he lit the fuse. His handiwork will soon devastate this state and visit unprecedented suffering on its people. It will be a nightmare, part of which will imperil the public schools, the operation of local governments and the state retirement system.
...if he could have, Jeb Bush would have relieved Florida’s wealthy persons and corporate entities of their entire tax burden. As it stands he came very near his goal. Tax loopholes created during his administration for corporate income now shelter between $500 and $600 million that was counted as revenue before. $600 million more was lost to the state when Bush eliminated the tax on intangible properties (stocks and bonds) in January 2007."
The damage the Jeb Bush legacy has inflicted upon Florida is indefensible.
Good riddance and oh, happy day for the rest of us.
